North Korea: Photos of fireworks and street dancing show celebration of latest ICBM launch

Recently released images show thousands of people gathered in Pyongyang to watch fireworks displays.

North Korean soldiers watch a fireworks display put on to celebrate the North's declaration on November 29 that it has achieved full nuclear statehood, during a mass rally on Kim Il-Sung Square in PyongyangKIM WON-JIN/AFP/Getty Images

North Korean soldiers watch a fireworks display put on to celebrate the North's declaration on November 29 that it has achieved full nuclear statehood, during a mass rally on Kim Il-Sung Square in PyongyangKIM WON-JIN/AFP/Getty ImagesNorth Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un declared the country had achieved a 'historic cause' of becoming a nuclear state, its state media saidKIM WON-JIN/AFP/Getty ImagesNorth Korean soldiers watch a fireworks display put on to celebrate the recent ICBM launchKIM WON-JIN/AFP/Getty ImagesNorth Korean soldiers and Pyongyang residents holding a rally to celebrate the recent ICBM launchAFP/Getty ImagesNorth Korean soldiers gathered in Pyongyang as fireworks display goes off to celebrate the recent missile launchAFP/Getty ImagesPeople dance on a square in Pyongyang, North KoreaREUTERS/KCNANorth Koreans dancing on the streets of Pyongyang in celebration of the recent missile launchREUTERS/KCNAA view of celebrations at Kim Il-sung Square on December 1REUTERS/KCNA

The photos also show hundreds of North Korean soldiers gathered in Pyongyang as the reclusive nation's ruling elite, in an official ceremony, reportedly delivered speeches, congratulating the scientists and technicians who worked toward developing and testing the missile.

The Washington Post cited the official North Korean news agency KCNA as having reported that "dancing parties" broke out in Pyongyang and there was "great joy and excitement" among North Koreans because of the recent missile launch.

Some of the photos show people dancing in a square in Pyongyang, while others show the North Korean army lined in regimented rows, clapping as fireworks light up the evening sky.

North Korea is known to stage grandiose events in capital Pyongyang, especially following a provocative show of its weapons. In August, the reclusive nation staged a rally that saw thousands of North Koreans seemingly protest fresh UN sanctions on the country. In 2016, the dictatorial regime celebrated the long-range rocket launch with fireworks and a parade.

North Korean soldiers celebrate the recent ICBM launchKIM WON-JIN/AFP/Getty ImagesNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the launch of a Hwasong-12 missile in this undated photoREUTERS/KCNAA view of celebrations at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang on December 2017REUTERS/KCNAThousands of North Koreans gathered at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang on December 1REUTERS/KCNANorth Korean soldiers clapping during the celebrations of the recent missile launchREUTERS/KCNAFireworks displays put on by North Korea in Pyongyang to celebrate the recent missile launchREUTERS/KCNA7A view of celebrations at Kim Il-sung Square in North Korea on December 1REUTERS/KCNA